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Homer Mayor Doug Cheek said water at the Evans Street location did not test well at its first sampling.
He said engineering consultants told the city the water “had set there so long, it’s like stagnant water.
He explained water would be run through onto the ground and sampled every two weeks. He said the consultants said most wells – more than 50 percent of those tested – end up being useful. “That’s certainly what we’re hoping,” he said.
The first samples of water were the wrong color and had too much grit in it, he said.
The “recharge” rate was 84 gallons per minute, which probably would be an adequate rate.
After the water was being pumped continuously, he said the first samples were taken the week of Nov. 6-10.
Cheek made the report at the city council meeting last week.
The city took an option on 28 acres of property on Evans Street in Homer in May for a potential second well for the city’s water service.
The city agreed to pay $125,000 for the property if water quality and rate tests are adequate. The property is on the tax roll in Banks County for $86,921, according to the property assessor’s website.
The council has been looking for a second source of water for nearly two years.
CHIMNEY OAKS
The Homer City Council also agreed to provide billing services for a home in the Chimney Oak subdivision for Banks County Golf, the development company.
The city will combine the water and sewer service costs on the bill and the company will reimburse the city when the costs are known.
Council members and representatives of the golf company discussed a flat fee for each bill and a percentage of the bill.
Sarah Pritchard, the chief operating officer and general counsel for the company, said the two parties could agree on a flat fee and a percentage and the company would pay whichever is higher. She said when a certain number of houses are sold, the percentage fee would be more money to the city.
Developer representatives assured council members they do not expect the city to do the work at a loss.
The development company has sold its first house and has an agreement with the city that it will provide water service to the area when the houses are sold. The development company has its own septic sewage system on the site.
The city anticipates getting a new software system that will do the billing by the first of the year, Carol Ayers, the city clerk, said.
Pritchard said the firm would pay for any “add on” costs the city incurred because of doing the extra billing.
She said the company expects financial arrangements to allow the developer and the city “to get what they need.”
Cheek noted the cost would be minimal when it first starts. When, or if, the company sells a number of houses, “then it’s going to be a big deal,” he said.
Pritchard told the council the closing for the first house is expected within 30 days. Four or five other houses are under construction, three have framing and siding and three lots have been grading.
She said the company’s “goal” is to have three or four closings per month.
The council also agreed to road name changes in Phase 3B for the golf community development.
Pritchard said the state regulators approved the changes and the company was just updating the council.
OTHER BUSINESS
The council also:
•approved changes to it animal control ordinance so the city and county regulations will be the same. That will allow the county animal control office to enforce the city’s ordinance. A woman complained in October that dogs have been running loose near the Golden Pantry in Homer.
•approved a setback for Shane Turner, who said he plans to build a car shed out from his house that won’t meet the setback and a workshop building. He said the lot at 154 Mulberry Street already has structures on it that don’t meet the setbacks.
•discussed a question from council member James McLendon about the “roundabout” at the intersection of Historic Homer Highway and Athens and Evans streets. Council members agreed action from the state may or may not happen. “Traffic has just gotten horrendous,” McClendon said. Cheek noted he has seen three or four versions of a roundabout and doesn’t know if any has been approved. One version was reported on in March 2016 in the Banks County News.

The top agriculture leaders were recognized Monday night in Banks County.
The fifth annual Banks County Agriculture Awards program was held at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Lula.
Award recipients were: Daphne Crumley, Agribusiness of the Year; and Pat Whitlock, Woman in Agriculture; Ricky Martin, Farmer of the Year.
Ralph Dalton received the Hall of Fame Award.
Banks County extension agent Bob Waldorf was recognized on his retirement. He has served the county for 13 years.
“It’s been a joy to come out to your farms and visit with you and, maybe, help a little,” Waldorf said.
Caroline Lewallen, Jaemor Farms agritourism and marketing coordinator, was the guest speaker.
“We love what we do,” she said. “We are glad to be in this community.”
She spoke on farmers engaging with consumers and being transparent in what is grown.
Others on the program were: Sammy Reeece, Farm Bureau director and county commissioner, welcome and acknowledgements; Ann Gordon and Jerry Gordon, invocation and pledge; and Tim Harper, closing remarks and presentation of door prizes.
The door prizes were donated by Jaemor Farms, Banks County Farm Bureau, AgGeorgia Farm Credit and Northeast Georgia Bank.

The Banks County E-9-1-1 Center is again coordinating the Santa Shoebox for Seniors efforts.
Items that are donated will be placed in wrapped shoe boxes. Items needed include: small throw blanket, calendars, socks, slippers, nail clippers, brush, comb, mirror, magazines, games, books, lotions, scented soaps, handkerchiefs and flashlights. Those who donate are asked not to include candy or razors.
The shoeboxes are delivered to two nursing homes, the senior citizen’s center and elders in the community who are in need.
Drop off locations are: Banks County Sheriff’s Office, Banks County Public Library, Banks County Recreation Department, Homer City Hall, Banks County Fire/EMS Administration Office and Banks County Courthouse.

Hannah Mullins is the top choice by the Banks County Board of Commissioners for the economic developer position.
The BOC announced on Monday that she is the top finalist. An official vote has not yet been taken to hire her. The procedure for filling a position such as this is to announce up to three finalists and then take an official vote within the next 14 days.
Mullins has served as executive director of the Washington-Wilkes Development Authority and executive director of the Candler County Industrial Authority in Metter. She has also served as real estate manager of M&M Contracting of Jasper and worked with business development for the Barnett Southern Corporation in Washington.
Mullins has a bachelor’s degree in business administration in management from Kennesaw State University and a master of arts in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University.

Hanna Mullins is the top choice by the Banks County Board of Commissioners for the economic developer position.
The BOC announced on Monday that she is the top finalist. An official vote has not yet been taken to hire her. The procedure for filling a position such as this is to announce up to three finalists and then take an official vote within the next 14 days.
Mullins has served as executive director of the Washington-Wilkes Development Authority and executive director of the Candler County Industrial Authority in Metter. She has also served as real estate manager of M&M Contracting of Jasper and worked with business development for the Barnett Southern Corporation in Washington.
Mullins has a bachelor’s degree in business administration in management from Kennesaw State University and a master of arts in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University.

Banks County will once again be celebrating the presenting of awards at the annual Banks County Agriculture Awards Banquet on November 13 at 7 p.m.
The event will be held at Mt Carmel Baptist Church in Banks County located at 2405 Hwy 52, Lula.
Awards being presented are: Farmer of the Year, Woman in Agriculture, Agribusiness of the Year and Hall of Fame.
Host Sponsors are: Banks County Farm Bureau, Banks County Chamber CVB and Banks County Extension.
Farm-City Week will be celebrated along with the rich history of agriculture and farming in Banks County and Georgia by a guest speaker.
A dinner will be served. RSVP to: Banks County Extension Office at 706-677-6230 or by email – uge1011@uga.edu or Banks County Farm Bureau office at 706-677-2215 or by email – jajackson@gfb.org no later than November 6.

The Maysville City Council will hold the following public hearings on the 2018 proposed budget:
•Thursday, November 16, 6 p.m.
•Thursday, November 30, 6 p.m.
A copy of the 2018 budget report is available for inspection at Maysville City Hall during regular office hours.

At 7 pm on Saturday, Nov. 11, a make-up tour will be held for the Historic Homer Haunted Walking Tour which was originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28. Severe weather conditions forced the Banks County Historical Society to cancel the tours for that evening.
Tickets are $10 per adult and free for children under 13, when accompanied by an adult. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and travels through portions of the downtown Homer Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
All guests are asked to bring a flashlight for their personal safety. The tour route is about three tenths of one mile over mostly flat terrain. Light snacks and refreshments will be served following the tour.
Reservations are strongly encouraged as the tour size will be limited. Make a reservation either by sending an email to HHHWT2017@BanksCountyHistoricalSociety.org or by calling 678-971-9390. No deposit or pre-payment is required. Please provide your name, the number of adults and children (under 13) that will attend, and a contact email address and phone number.

Tuesday’s election brought a new mayor for the Town of Lula and four incumbents being among those elected to the Homer City Council.
In Lula, challenger Jim Grier beat incumbent Mayor Milton Turner in a 185-96 vote.
In Homer, the four incumbents were re-elected, as well as James Dumas, who is a former chairman of the Banks County Board of Commissioners.
The top five vote-getters were: Cliff Hill, 59 votes; James Dumas, 57; Jerry Payne, 55; Sandra Garrison, 49; and David Dunson, 48.
Also on the ballot in the city council election in Homer were: Frankie Gardiner, 38, and Dan Walker, 24.

For more election news, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.

An upcoming ballot Banks County will ask voters whether they favor a one-cent Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) for roads and bridges.

The Banks County Board of Commissioners approved a request last week from the Development Authority to proceed with the necessary steps to place the one-cent LOST on an upcoming ballot.
Banks County Development Authority Chairman Scott Ledford presented the request to the commissioners. Ledford said the one-cent tax would bring in roughly $3 million per year over a five-year term.

Currently, the road department county budget is $850,00 and $400,000 of that is used to pay salaries, leaving around $450,000 to spent on the upkeep of county roads.

“Spending $450,000 per year on roads will not bring them up to the level needed,” Ledford said.

Ledford told the commissioners that to bring in $3 million as proposed in the one-cent LOST the county would need to raise the millage rate by 6 mills. That figure is based on 1-mill being equivalent to $485,000. This would put a real burden on county taxpayers, he added.

BOC chairman Jimmy Hooper said most of the revenue from the one-cent LOST would be paid by people from outside the county.